Mayor: Eastwood Viaduct plan approved

This view looking west shows graffiti and water stains that mark the underside of the eastern span of the condemned Eastwood Viaduct on the east edge of Marshall. The Marshall City Council approved the design of the new twin bridges Tuesday, Feb. 20. Most of the project's costs will be paid for by a Missouri Department of Transportation grant.

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"It is going to be built," Latimer said. "There is going to be a bridge."

A Missouri Department of Transportation press release in April 2005 cited deterioration of the two bridges' substructures -- especially the bridge that crosses railroad tracks -- as a reason for the viaduct's closing.

The viaduct was officially closed on April 22, 2005, by the Marshall Special Road District.

The closing of the two bridges, which span railroad tracks and a creek, forced people who live on the county road east of Marshall to take a detour on U.S. 240 to get into town.

The total projected cost is about $2 million. The city annexed the two bridges on Monday, March 20, 2006, to pave the way for replacing the bridges by applying for a grant from the Missouri Department of Transportation Bridge Replacement Municipalities program.

The city announced Aug. 1, 2006, that it would receive the $1.6 million grant for the project.

The city approved the preliminary plans on Tuesday, Feb. 20, when city officials met with design contractors of Shafer, Kline & Warren, Inc.

"We signed off on the preliminary plans," Latimer said. "It will probably take the rest of the year to get all of the ball rolling."

Shafer, Kline & Warren's design contract, which will not exceed $167,000, will include designing, planning and supervising the project through the construction phase.

Other business of the council included the approval of a contract with Shafer, Kline & Warren, Inc. for the Water Treatment Plant chlorine facilities design.

The contract allows Shafer, Kline & Warren to explore the use of new types of disinfection methods and alternatives for constructing a new disinfection facility. The need for the facility came about through new federal rules and an EPA concern about the storage of the chlorine the plant uses for disinfection.

Concerning another major project, Marshall officials met with MoDOT officials and made suggestions for the intersection at College Street and U.S. 65. MoDOT in return made a few suggestions. "We will still see another plan before it is approved," Latimer said. The tentative itinerary for the project includes the advertising of bids in May and the awarding the bids in June. Construction could start in July.

The College Street-U.S. 65 project involves adding right-turn lanes on U.S. 65 and both right- and left-turn lanes on College Street. U.S. 65 already has left-turn lanes at the intersection. Traffic lights at the intersection will be replaced and the new traffic lights will be timed to help improve traffic flow.

Councilman Gabe Ramsey was the only council member who had a committee report. From the public relations and public safety committee, Ramsey asked members of the council to accept the high bid on a 2004 Ford Crown Victoria was no longer needed by the city. The council accepted the bid of $2,050 by Governor Motor Company in Jefferson City.

Mayor Latimer closed the meeting by welcoming Kyle Gibbs to his new position as general manager for Marshall Municipal Utilities. Gibbs replaced Paul Jensen, who has retired.

Contact Rachel Harper at

marshallcity@socket.net